Thanks to Bryn from the Wightlink Islanders for this update from last night’s racing. In his own words. Ed
Wightlink Islanders very own Paul Starke pulled off a stunning victory to win the 2012 WPA Healthcare Trophy in front of the biggest crowd of the season so far at Smallbrook last night.
He seemed certain to exit the meeting at the semi-final stage with him trailing but was handed a lifeline when the race leader, impressive Australian teenager Brady Kurtz, fell on the second lap causing the race to be stopped.
No injuries
Starke couldn’t avoid the fallen Aussie’s bike and was brought down himself but thankfully neither rider sustained injury.
Kurtz was excluded from taking part in the re-run and Starke, after his mechanics had repaired his damaged bike at breakneck speed, took full advantage by following home Stoke’s Simon Lambert to book his place in the final at the expense of team mate Ben Hopwood who finished third.
Tapes-to-flag victory for Warwick
Islanders skipper Danny Warwick recorded a tapes-to-flag victory in the second semi-final and was followed home by James Sargeant from Hertfordshire club Rye House who thus clinched the final spot in the four man final.
Lambert, who had won all four of his heats and that first semi-final in impressive style, looked certain to clinch the title but “Starkey” had other ideas and took the lead in the battle for glory exiting the second bend hotly pursued by Lambert with Sargeant and Warwick having their own private battle for third place.
All eyes were focussed though on the leading duo and Lambert tried everything both on the inside and outside racing lines to find a way past race leader Starke, but the latter thwarted all Lambert’s moves to pass him to take the chequered flag a mere bike length ahead and punched the air with delight as he went on a well deserved victory lap
Stunning victory for Starke
A cracking finale to what had been an excellent night’s racing with the watching crowd having their hearts in their mouths at times marvelling at some of the dare devil passing moves riders produced in the qualifying heats as they attempted qualification for the later stages.
A stunning victory for Starke then, heartbreak for Lambert but most importantly a superb night of action and fun enjoyed by the large holiday crowd.
And hopefully both the Isle of Wight Hospice and the Samantha Dixon Brain Tumour Trust will benefit from this meeting from funds raised.
Meeting result
1. Paul Starke (Isle of Wight)
2. Simon Lambert (Stoke)
3. James Sargeant (Rye House)
4. Danny Warwick (Isle of Wight)
